James Corden hasn’t even finished his second week as new host of CBS’ The Late Late Show, but he’s already participated in a moment that could be remembered for years, thanks to an April Fool’s Day prank pulled off by Katie Couric.
Actually, the joke was kind of cruel in that it probably caused Corden’s very brief late-night life to flash before his eyes, imagining that an embarrassing and possibly serious accident took place on his show. But the gag was also brilliant. And it may have also served to make Corden the most likable fellow in late-night, as he was genuinely concerned for what he thought was a terrible fall by Couric.
I mean, it’s hilarious now to see Corden almost immediately bolt from behind his desk to run toward Couric. But just imagine if something like that had really happened. (And Corden confessed that such a possibility had been discussed, given you were asking guests to walk down stairs toward the stage.) Of course, such a gaffe likely wouldn’t have made it to air. Had something truly serious happened, CBS probably wouldn’t have even televised the show.
Also, was everyone else in the studio in on the joke? The crew had to be. Fellow guests Emmy Rossum and Jeremy Piven surely were, since they didn’t get up from the couch. The audience was awfully quiet, which would seem to indicate they thought Couric was really hurt. And that only added to the authenticity of the moment. Keeping Corden in the dark for the sake of an elaborate joke is actually pretty impressive. His shock and relief upon finding out he’d been pranked is endearing.
But really, Corden has to get Couric back somehow, right? It would only be fair.
